Pecan tree (Price-Fleming)

ABSTRACT

A pecan tree designated &#34;Price-Fleming&#34; is a new and distinct variety of pecan tree distinguished by a high quality crop of large, very tasteful, thin shelled nuts with light golden meats. The fruit ripens mid October to mid November. The early maturity of the nuts further enhances market value. This new pecan tree is totally resistant to scab disease prevalent in other varieties in the same orchard. It has an upright, open center growth with a modified central leader providing for good air circulation and sunlight between the leaves which reduces fungus diseases and enhances growth. The growth rate of this tree is very rapid with nut production within four years after grafting. The nuts generally run about forty-two to forty-six to the pound and the cracking percentage is approximately fifty-five percent. Ninety percent of the nuts crack in halves which are of greater commercial value than broken pieces.

BACKGROUND AND ORIGIN OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new distinct variety of pecan treediscovered growing on my property by me in North Central Nash County,N.C. It is a selected seedling of unknown parentage. The subjectseedling will be known commercially as the "Price-Fleming" variety.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

My attention was directed and devoted to this particular seedlingbecause it annually produced a good crop of high quality nuts, includingyears of complete crop failure on adjacent improved varieties.

Much travel and effort to inquire of highly regarded pecan authoritiesdid not bring the slightest indication of identification of this pecan.Foremost authorities called upon included: North Carolina StateUniversity, Raleigh, N.C.; Fred Voight, PECAN SOUTH Advisory Board,Waycross, Ga.; Ed Abbott, Nurseryman, Monticello, Fla.; and Young PecanCompany, Florence, S.C.

Continued testing, observing and researching over a prolonged period ofyears have convinced me without a doubt that my "Price-Fleming" seedlingis a distinct, new variety which is distinguished from all other pecanvarieties of which I am aware. This is evidenced by the following uniquecombination of commercially valuable features which are outstanding inthe "Price-Fleming:"

1. The surface coloration of the full-bodied nut meat is lightgold--which is a most desirable color according to the "Pecan GradingGuidelines" as presented in Pecan South, September-October, 1988.

2. The annual productivity is consistently good with the highlyflavored, pleasantly textured, light gold meated nuts. The commercialvalue of these nuts is further enhanced by the very thin shells whichseparate exceptionally well from the kernals with fifty-five percentfill meat to the whole nut.

3. The tree has a healthy, self-shaping, self-fertile habit whichassures good annual nut crops of about ninety to one hundred and tenpound per season. About eighty-five percent of the nuts are releasedfrom the hull before it falls.

4. The variety is totally resistant to pecan scab disease as evidencedby its annual production of a good quality nut crop, without the benefitof fungicide for over thirty years.

5. The nut matures early (about ten days before the Stuart) therebyallowing ample marketing time for the Thanksgiving holiday demand forpecans. This feature further increases the value to the grower.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION

Asexual reproduction of my new "Price-Fleming" pecan variety by graftingby me in Nash County, N.C., shows that the foregoing characteristics anddistinctions survive and are established and transmitted throughsucceeding propagations as witnessed by Nash County Farm Agent, JimStephenson.

DESCRIPTION OF PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph show typical specimens of the foliage, nuts,and growth pattern of my new "Price-Fleming" pecan variety. Shells ofsome of the nut specimens are removed to display the kernels. Allspecimens are depicted as nearly true in shape and/or size as isreasonably possible.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of my new variety, with colorterminology in accordance with Pantone Color Guide, 18th Edition, FirstPrinting, 1985-86, a component of the Pantone Library of Color, as basedon observations of specimens grown and observed in Nash County, N.C.Although the parentage of the selected Seedling is unknown, the tree andfruit hold their distinguishing characteristics through succeedingpropagation by grafting. The new grafts that are now four to seven yearsold are bearing three to five pounds per tree. The tree is large andvigorous with consistently good productivity annually. The vigorousgrowth habit produces upright branches with a modified central leader.The wood color is Pantone-478U. This color appears during the secondyear after grafting. The foliage is abundant, large and heavy. The budsare medium long and slightly pointed. The dates of the first and lastpickings in Nash County, N.C. are October 20 and November 15,respectively.

The ripening time is even during the time of harvesting. The quantity isabundant from ninety to one hundred and ten pounds per tree per season.The maturity is medium early with completely free tenacity. The clusterof nuts averages three to five nuts to the cluster. The nuts of this newtree are very large averaging about 2 plus inches in length and 1 inchin diameter. The average number of nuts per pound is forty-two toforty-six. The basal end of the nut is rounded and the point is mediumwith distinctive high curvature with flat indentations on two sides atthe apex end. The shell is very thin, cracks and releases very easilyand displays the Pantone 470U color. The kernel is highly flavorful withvery firm texture. It is an attractive elongated shape with unevensutures and spreading at the basal end.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of pecan tree, substantially asherein shown and described, characterized particularly as to novelty bythe unique combination of medium-early maturity of high quality, large,tasteful nuts on an annual basis, without the use of fungicide in anarea where some pecan varieties are severely affected by pecan scabdisease, said nuts having thin shells which separate very easily fromthe kernel, and a self-fertile and self-shaping habit which assures goodannual nut crops even in the absence of any neighboring pecan trees.